2007 Portage County Real Heroes

Barbara Brady

It is impossible to assume how a person will react while encountering a fire. Some may stay put and wait for help while others may run in the name of self-preservation. On July 24, 2006 Prospect House resident Barbara Brady was faced with this very dilemma. At 3 a.m., while most of the residents were asleep, a fire started in the building.  Smoke began to build in the hallway outside of Barbara Brady’s room. Fortunately for the residents of the Prospect House, Barbara could not sleep that night. The smoke alarms sounded and spiked Barbara’s adrenaline. Hours earlier, this woman would have found running difficult, but now, as she said, “I moved like I was 15.”

Immediately, Barbara yelled to her husband Charlie, “Get up! There’s a fire and it’s on our floor.” She exited her apartment into the hallway and began to knock on all the doors she could with her cane. Her husband, Charlie, an asthmatic, was unable to bear the smoke, so he stayed in the room and called the fire department. One by one, residents were alerted to the danger, thanks to Barbara. The residents who were mobile worked their way down the stairs to the safety of the outdoors. Many residents required the assistance of the local firefighters.

It takes small acts for great things to happen. This story is evidence that with motivation and a little adrenaline, a woman who, at times, found it difficult to maneuver, managed to save the lives of her friends and neighbors.

Ron Pierce & Nathan Mahovich

On Saturday, June 10, 2006, Nathan Mahovich and Ron Pierce were fishing on Wingfoot Lake in separate boats, when they heard the cry for help. Three boys, ages 6 through 12, were fishing with their grandfather, Mr. Primm, age 61, when the boat they were in capsized, sending them all into the water.  Ron Pierce immediately responded to the commotion.  He navigated his boat toward the noise and scooped the three boys out of the water and into his boat. From the opposite side of the lake, Nathan Mahovich also moved toward the scene. When he arrived, Ron was pulling the last boy out of the water. The frantic cries of the boys made it clear that one person, Mr. Primm, was still in the water. Nathan did the only thing he knew to do. He tied his boat to Ron’s and dove beneath the surface to search. The water was muddy and visibility was low, making it difficult for Nathan to locate Mr. Primm.  Finally, Nathan grabbed the man and attempted to pull him aboard, but was unable to do so. The only option was for Nathan to stay in the water and hold onto him as the boat headed for the shore. Suffield Fire Department personnel were waiting on the shore for the “rescue” boat; they began CPR immediately in an effort to resuscitate Mr. Primm. Sadly, Mr. Primm perished.  

While the loss of this man is a terrible tragedy, this story portrays the goodness that exists in our community. Three young men are alive and well today as a direct result of Nathan Mahovich and Ron Pierce’s humanitarian spirit. These two men, strangers before this event,  did absolutely everything in their power to help those in need. The staff of the American Red Cross of Portage County is honored to have met these brave men.  The community is a better place because of people like Nathan Mahovich and Ron Pierce. 

Kristen Benjamin

 On Monday, October 2, 2006, Kristen Benjamin was on Interstate 71 traveling home from a church event when, suddenly, she observed an 18-wheeler unable to negotiate a turn.  The semi was unstable and tipping fast. Luckily, Kristen saw the signs that preempted this crash and reacted quickly. The truck was within 10 feet of her when she hit the accelerator in her Ford Explorer, clearing herself from the impending danger.  The semi slammed into the pavement, tearing the trailer apart and spilling the full load of ceramic tiles onto the road. Finally, after sliding across the road, the semi came to rest in the median.

Kristen, unlike many, was trained for an event such as this. While at Thiel College completing a bachelor’s degree in Art and dedicating herself to athletics, she also graduated from the Ohio Fire Academy.  Her courses included Firefighting I, II and HazMat training. Kristen currently works with special needs children at Stanton Middle School. 

Pulling over and rushing to the aid of the driver of the truck was second nature for Kristen. She worried about the possibility of diesel fuel leaking and knew time was precious. At great risk to herself, Kristen had to climb up the side of the truck, about 15 feet into the air, to reach the cab door and get to the driver. From there, Kristen found the driver lodged under the steering wheel.  She grabbed him and dragged him out of the cab. Another motorist helped get the battered, cut and shaken man a safe distance from the wreck. Although her firefighter training prepared her for an emergency such as this, it was Kristen’s personal strength of character that prompted her to act.  “It’s the Benjamin spirit of helping people,” she said. “I was raised to help others.” Portage County is a better place because of people like Kristen .

David T. Lewis

 On December 10, 2006, after visiting with family members, David Lewis, his wife Beth, and their 11-month old son Dylan, were on their way home to Warren, traveling north on State Route 225. While traveling behind several vehicles, they witnessed a serious injury crash involving two vehicles. David felt the need to help and asked his wife Beth to pull off the road. As her husband approached the injury scene, Beth called 911. Approaching the vehicle that held Thomas Goodrich and his family, David heard a baby crying. He saw that Mr. Goodrich was attempting to free his four-year old son from the back seat of the vehicle. Mr. Lewis offered to hold two-year old Sabrina, who appeared unharmed by the accident, yet was frightened.  As the Good Samaritan stood by the accident scene comforting the crying toddler, another vehicle lost control and started a chain reaction that resulted in David being struck by a second vehicle and thrown into a ditch.  Little Sabrina was flung from David’s arms and landed about ten feet from him. David recalls, “The first thing I remember was hearing my wife calling my name. I tried to call for her, but no one could hear me.” A volunteer EMT who lived in the area arrived on the scene and stayed with David until the ambulance arrived. He also rode with him to Akron City Hospital. The injuries this hero sustained included damage to his right femur, which was broken in four places. David was wheeled into emergency surgery in order to insert a metal rod in his leg. After awakening from the surgery, State Trooper Michael Marucci informed David that the car that hit him was traveling at around fifty-five miles per hour.  David has been off work, recovering from the injuries he sustained while coming to the aid of his fellow traveler.

Andrew McClung & Matthew Svoboda

  For most people, Christmas day is a joyous time, relaxing with family and opening gifts. For Chris Jones, it was not as relaxing. He was following his sixteen-year-old brother, Matthew Svoboda and friend Andrew McClung, 18, home on Newton Falls Road around 1 a.m. Suddenly, a deer jumped in front of his vehicle. Chris made evasive maneuvers to avoid the deer, which forced his car off the road. He was losing control quickly. The struggle to regain control was lost and Chris’s car ended up overturning in a ditch and catching fire. Matthew and Andrew saw the headlights from Chris’s vehicle swerving all over the road behind them. They hit the brakes and did a quick u-turn to see what happened to Matthew’s brother.

As they ran to the car, Matthew began to call 911 while Andrew attempted to get Chris out of the flaming wreck. Andrew could not reach Chris, so Matthew threw him the phone and he attempted the rescue. Thankfully, this attempt was successful. Chris was helped out of the car and away from the potentially explosive situation. Chris was eventually taken to the hospital by ambulance with injuries including a collapsed lung, fractured fibula, broken heel and a laceration over his left eye. More importantly, thanks to the quick response of Matthew and Andrew, he came away with his life. Chris Jones was later quoted saying, “The Lord had Matt with me to save my life.” These two young men were in the right place at the right time and had the courage to act when it was needed; for that they are heroes.

Catherine DeLair

 Catherine DeLair, Cathy to those who know her, is a registered nurse with more than 30 years experience. She has been an Oncology Certified Nurse for the past 20 years. Her work deals with patients enduring long, and sometimes painful, battles with cancer and the often-uncomfortable treatment. Her work is mentally draining and emotionally challenging. Cathy will tell you that she is just doing her job. In this line of work, doing your job can be as basic as administering needed care or filling out the paperwork. Yet, there are those, like Cathy, who make their work their life. Ensuring that patients have a payment source for medication, or getting permission from a physician to grant a dying patient’s wish for a beer, is second nature to Cathy. She is known for her special care and compassion at the bedside, adding a personal touch that makes each patient feel special and safe.  Cathy helps her patients feel at ease in uneasy situations.    

Among the stories that display the relationship between patients and this wonderful nurse,  was one of a 19-year old man diagnosed with leukemia. He vented his frustrations through practical jokes like throwing jell-o or spraying nurses with water-filled syringes. While some failed to see the humor, Cathy recognized that this patient was using humor as a release. Instead of reprimanding him, Cathy joined in the antics. During the Halloween season, she hung a fake spider from an IV hanger just over the patient’s bed. This joke was received with lots of laughter and was exactly what was needed. Engaging with patients facing life-threatening illnesses is not a requirement to become a nurse, yet to Cathy DeLair, it’s a way of life.

These examples of humanitarianism and love are only a few in her long career. People will say it’s her job, but she does more than just work at a hospital. She cares for individuals and makes their struggles a little easier. Cathy serves as an advocate for patients and families, as well as a role model for the nursing profession. Anyone who has personally dealt with situations like this acknowledges and respects the care that Cathy DeLair gives. To us, she truly is a hero.

Leah Sicuro

 On Saturday, February 3, 2006, eleven-year old Leah Sicuro demonstrated the responsibility and composure that is necessary in an emergency. Leah’s mother, Loretta, was given the correct medication, but the wrong dosage, for a prescription from a local pharmacy. In order to correct this problem, she was instructed to break the pill in half, and then ingest it. Unfortunately for Loretta, one fact was overlooked; the pills were time released and breaking them apart could spell disaster.

Around 2:30 p.m., Loretta began to have an allergic reaction, (swelling, itching and difficulty breathing due to her throat closing) as a result of the dosage. Leah calmly remembered what she had always been told to do in an emergency; “Call 911.” In a very calm manner, Leah described to the 911 dispatcher the situation, what was ingested, how it was taken and her mother’s reaction. She did the exact same thing when the paramedics arrived. Her maturity in this situation saved her mothers life; the information she provided gave the paramedics the guidance they needed to begin treatment.

Another testament to this incredibly responsible young girl is her actions after the paramedics arrived. Knowing that she would be left home alone, and that her mom would never allow that, she called for the babysitter to come stay with her. Unfortunately, the babysitter was not available, so Leah rode in the front seat of the ambulance to the hospital and stayed there until around midnight.

Leah’s actions far exceed those of most eleven-year olds. The level of responsibility exhibited and the ability to remain calm in a frightening situation is a tribute to good teachers and a great mother.  Parents raise their children and hope they’ll be responsible, caring individuals. It’s obvious this mother can say, “Job well done.”

Bob & Pam Danner

 Bob and Pam Danner are two amazing individuals. They are dedicated to making sure that tomorrow is better than today for every person in their lives. Bob and Pam have parented 19 children; five biological and fourteen they refer to as “children of the heart.” Parenting is not a challenge to the Danners; rather an opportunity to guide and love.

The Danners tackle every opportunity with intensity. A sample of what Pam Danner has done is teaching childbirth education to expectant parents through the Kent Childbirth Organization. She held the position of program director of the Emergency Assistance Program for Catholic Charities. Pam also assisted in bringing PATH (Portage Transitional Housing) to Portage County. She was a strong advocate, along with Portage Metropolitan Housing Authority, of building Renaissance Place. This outstanding partnership was recognized with the Governor’s Award. Pam and Bob are exceptionally talented at transitioning from idea to implementation.  Pam says, “If it excites, we say YES!”  Their enthusiasm is evident.

Bob Danner began his career in production for Samuel Moore in Mantua, worked in the engineering department of Eaton Corp. and, in 1987, became Vice President of Tri-Tube, a manufacturer of stainless steel tubing. Later in life, he started a landscaping company, was a heavy equipment operator for a gravel company and is currently a bus driver for Crestwood Schools. He enjoys his involvement with Crestwood students and uses his life experiences to encourage students in education, employment and life. Because of Bob’s experience and love of helping others improve themselves, he excels in this position. Students are receptive to him and appreciate his work.

The Danners have two new ventures: Community Christmas and Streetsboro PTA’s Annual Family Fun Fest at Woodside Park (which the Danner’s own). The Community Christmas is a wonderful program that provides donated toys and gift items to families during the holiday season. The first Annual Family Fun Fest at Woodside Park, complete with hayrides, was a great success.  More than 1,200 people were in attendance.

This couple has done a multitude of good for Streetsboro and Portage County. Mahatma Ghandi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Bob and Pam Danner embrace that idea to the fullest.  They are truly an essential part of Portage County.

 Joe Vickers

 One summer afternoon in July, 2006, Larry Cole was having soffit vents replaced on his garage. Carpenters, Jimmy and Scotty, were operating air staplers to secure the soffit material to the roof.  Compressed air flows through a hose powering the stapler mechanism.  As they worked their way down the overhang, the air hose became snagged in a bush. Jimmy, who was working with the stapler, gave the hose a tug in an attempt to free it from the bush; his attempt failed. Then Scotty, who was holding, cutting and handling the vent materials, also tried to pull the hose free. Finally, he thrust his hand through the bush and into the ground, directly into a nest of hornets. Immediately, the angry hornets engulfed Scotty, violently stinging him. Scotty dropped to the ground. He was having an allergic reaction and nearly stopped breathing. 

Hearing people yelling about hornets, neighbor Joe Vickers responded to the commotion. Luckily, Joe was very aware of the life-threatening danger that stings can cause. Being well prepared, Joe owned an epinephrine auto-injector pen that is used to treat anaphylaxis. He grabbed it and ran to the scene. Joe injected Scotty with the epinephrine. Scotty began to breathe easier and was taken to the hospital where the doctor remarked that the person who gave Scotty that injection probably saved his life. The quick thinking and preparedness of Joe Vickers is the reason Scotty is alive today.